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Cooperative Update 2023/2024
Ms Nicole Lonesborough provided
an update of the Cooperative and made the following comments in summary:
· The
Cooperative is building in strength post COVID. The past year saw over 17,000
items added to the shared collection giving an overall collection of physical
items of approx. 156,000. This overall figure is down on the previous year
due to a rigorous culling program that took place throughout the year.
· Digital
Collection continues to grow in popularity with 133,683 e-books &
e-audiobooks borrowed as well as 17,591 e-magazines. These figures are down
on last years due to the South East Zone, which we are part of no longer
subscribing to the Overdrive platform and patrons returning to our libraries
to borrow physical books etc.
· We
have a combined total population of 132,897 and during the year our members
borrowed over 565,000 library items
· Our
communities made over 411,000 visits to the library, accessed the internet
over 88,000 times and over 59,000 information requests
· We
continue to work together to improve our collections and access to our
collections
· Thank
you to Michelle and her staff for their continued support during the year.
Kiama Library Update 2023/2024
Ms Michelle Hudson provided an
update of the Kiama Library Services and made the following comments in
summary:
· The
libraries two (2) locations continue to be the community hubs and participate
in all manner of library programs.
· New
program introduced at the Gerringong Library is fortnightly Dungeon’s
and Dragon’s Adventurers Club, usually attracts boys around the Primary
School age of Years 4-6.
· Have
run over 460 programs this year with over 12,000 people attending.
· The
Library participated in NaNoWriMo which is the National Novel Reading Month
of November 2023, will also be doing that program this year and people can
join at both locations for a series of author events where we challenge them
to write approximately 500 words in the month of November.
· We
have started a monthly Ink Wells writing group, members of the community come
and participate in writing programs.
· As
a result of the Library restructure, we now have a Cultural Development
Officer working with the library Team and they were successful in obtaining a
grant to commemorate ANZAC Day. That was an innovative new program, we worked
with a local artist and people were inspired by ANZAC stories and pictures
from our local history collection. The participants completed art works which
were showcased in the library and in the Council Chambers.
· Gerringong
Library was transformed into a Bridgeton inspired tea room, members of the
community could play games and were inspired by all the books by Julia Quinn
· Another
new program at Gerringong was a self-publishing showcase held in June 2024
where five (5) local authors presented on their self-published works.
· Another
successful program is the Makers and Creators Group is the Intergenerational
Program seeing 15-16 year olds working with adults to do a range of different
activities every couple of months.
· Another
highlight was Heritage NSW honoured Kiama born author and essayist Charmain
Clift by installing a blue plaque at Kiama Library.
· The
Family History Centre conducted several workshops, we were able to assist
participants with starting their family history research. As a result of the
projects, we received a $10,000 anonymous donation to preserve the microfiche
reels containing magistrate records, indentures of apprenticeship and crew
and passenger lists.
· The
State Library came to conduct an assessment and the consultant made
recommendations on the facilities and a report was presented to Council.
· Acknowledging
the library staff for their dedication and providing innovative programs to
the community.
Shoalhaven Library Update
2023/2024
· After
receiving the SLNSW library assessment review staff developed a draft action
plan and have been working through the assessments recommendations.
· The
Book Bar continues to be very popular with titles no longer as popular
converted into book club kits for community book clubs to borrow
· Our
Strategic Plan 24-27 was adopted by council in March and staff are now
working through the plan to achieve outcomes and objectives. The action to
update the Local History Plan has already been achieved.
· Earlier
this year council made a decision to discontinue the continuation of the
Sanctuary Point Library due to rising costs and investigate the construction
of a new smaller library similar to the Warilla Library which was designed by
the same architects as the previous project. This project is at
“Feasibility Study” stage.
· We
held over 600 events across our branches which enabled close to 10,000 people
to engage with library services and staff.
· Collaborated
with SSSF, Gallery and SEC on the Arty Farty Party and holiday programmes.
· Winter
warmers challenge is growing with over 120 items knitted this year with all
items received donated to local charities.
· Children’s
Book Week continues to be popular with pre-schools and kindergarten children
· Members
of Sanctuary Point Library coding club participated in
“Moonhack 2023 Space & Innovation” (coding workshop) with
40,000 other children across the world.
· We
have a great collaboration programme going with WHAM (wellbeing, health and
movement) a local health organisation to present a series of seminars on
health & wellbeing
· Ulladulla
hosted a travelling exhibition from the Aust National Maritime Museum about
oyster reefs, the history of the reefs and the benefit oyster reefs provide
the environment.
· Bookfest
has become one of our most popular author events, showcasing local authors
and illustrators in a panel style question and answer set up.
· Author
visits are always popular and this year Shoalhaven Libraries hosted many
events across our branches.
· Grants
were received to provide digital literacy sessions and workshops across the
branches. Robots were also purchased to be used in school holiday activities.
· Tech
assistance is an area that is growing especially with the elderly members of
the community.
· The
Ancestry grant program provided much needed funds to enable the digitisation
of significant records held in our Local Heritage Collection (rates, water,
sanitary, street lighting)
· National
Library of Aust digitised local historic newspapers of Berry and Kangaroo
Valley which are now available on TROVE. This was made possible through a
grant from Create NSW’s Cultural grants Program.
· The
preservation station has proved very popular with community members wanting
to convert personal analogue collections (i.e. photographs, slides, negative
and audio cassettes) into a digital format.
· With
the opening of the Artie Smith Sports Ground Shoalhaven Libraries hosted a
talk and display by Artie Smith grandson, John Blackmore
· The
seed Library was expanded to Nowra and Ulladulla Library
· During
times of HSC, we provide a space for students to come in to study, we extend
opening hours and we do an HSC lock-in, we also have staff that can help the
students with research and/or assignments.
· Library
manager Sarah Taylor resigned from SCC in January after 17 yrs with the
library.
· Nicole
thanked Michelle and the Cooperative staff for their assistance since
January.
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